Machine for cleaning scale from annealed steel



R. N. LOGAN.- MACHINE FOR CLEANING SCALEIROM ANNE'ALED' STEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,192l.

Patented Get; 31, 1922.,

INVENTOR h Patented Uct. 31, 1922-.

' Nl E D S T A T E S RALPH N. LOGAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING SCALE FROM ANNEALEJD STEEL.

Application filed m 8, 1921. Serial no. $83,356.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH N. LOGAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Cleaning Scale from Annealed Steel, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine especially adapted for cleaning the scale fromannealed steel, and comprising vertically reciprocatingbaskets containing the steel to be treated and by means of which the steel is subjected to the action of an acid bath; my improvements being more particularly directed to the special means and method employed for operating the haskets, whereby one man may efliciently han (110 a large quantity of material in a limited time, resulting in economy in cost of treatment.

Heretofore, it has been customary to operate the baskets containing the steel to be treated by means --of steam pressure, liftin the baskets by the operation of a piston an cylinder mechanism and 'permltting the steam to exhaust into the room to lower the baskets into the acid bath after they have been fully raised, the vertical reciprocations of the baskets being insured by repeated admissions of steam to the cylinder and its subsequent exhaustion into the room. That system has been found objectionable on account of the high cost involved and on account of the heating of the atmosphere of the plant by the presence of the steam and where the steam is exhausted into the room,

the further objection by providing an ob jectionable humid atmosphere.

in putting my invention into practice, I dispense entirely with the use of steam for operating the baskets; employing compressed air for the purpose of raising and counter-balancing the baskets and loads and a mechanical power means for depressing the baskets against the elasticity of the compressed air. More specifically, my invention comprehends a frame from which the baskets are hung, said frame being supported upon an elastic cushion of compressed air by the employment of a piston and cylinder or equivalent means, the pressure of the air being just sufficient to conveniently cause the baskets with their load to rise clear of the acid vats or tanks. Thereafter, the frame and the suspended baskets with their loads are intermittently drawn downward against the elasticity of the compressed air by the mechanical means, the said operation overcoming the elasticity of the air in lowering the baskets and permitting the air to raise the frame and baskets on the lifting or upward action, whereby a minimum utilization of power is alone necessary.

My invention also consists of improvements hereinafter described whereby the above objects and results are attained, said improvements comprising certain organization and combination of parts which are fully described hereinafter and more particularly defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the same, more particularly showmg the apparatus for raising and lowering the dipping cages; Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig, 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing a portion of the compressed air cylinder and piston mechanism; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the machine for' operating the dipping cages, the same consists of a vertical cylinder 2 having therein a plunger 3 provided with a piston 3 working in the cylinder 2 and subjected to the pressure of compressed air admitted by a pipe 27. The lower end of the plunger extends through a stufling bO'X 8 in the base or pedestal portion 7. of the cylinder 2 (Fig. 4). The plunger 3, therefore, act-s similar to the piston rod, but is made large in that it is required to sustain a large frame at its upper end from which the cages are hung. Secured to the upper part of the plunger 3 is a horizontal wheel or circular part 4 having thereon radial pins 6 arranged circumferentially about the perimeter. Supported above the wheel structure 4: are a series of radiating arms 5, and preferably five in number, though I do not restrict myself to the exact number, as my invention is appliwheel contained in the cages and to be subjected to treatment. Arranged upon the floor and in properly spaced relation are a series of vats or tanks 20 in which the acid is placed and into which the several cages are dipped and reciprocated therein vertical- 1y. As shown in Fig. 1, there are four of these vats 20, there being no vat under the lefthand cage 19, this hemp; for the purpose of providing a convenient space for removing a cage with the treated material from the suspending chains and for introducing a new cage with its contents. In the particular apparatus shown, it will, therefore, be seen that there will be four cages subjected to the dipping process and when these cages are raised sufficiently clear of the tanks or vats 20, the sustaining frame and plunger may be rotated in transferring the cages to a position for detachment or for successive treatments in each of the vats before the Y final removal, as may be desired.

When the cages and their supporting means are adjusted to a dipping pos1t1on,the

following mechanical means is employed for imparting a reciprocating motion against the elastic pressure of the compressed airwhich counter-balances the weight of the sustaining frame as well as the dipping cages and their loads. At each side of the base of the cylinder 2 is arranged a crank wheel 9 having a shaft journalled in-bearings 10, said crank wheel operating an upwardly extending connecting rod 15 having at its upper end a jaw 17 adapted to engage one of the radial pins 6 of the wheel 4. The

' jaw 17 of the connecting rod 15 is provided of the connectin with a spring latch 18 which insures disconnection of the jaw from the in 6 when properly connected thereto, as w' 1 be understood by reference to Fig. 5, A chain 19 is provided for withdrawing the latch 18 when it is desired to disconnect the jaw 17 rod 15 from the in 6. The two crank w eels 9 are provided with gear teeth on their perimeters which mesh with pinions 12 on the transverse shaft 11, the latter supported in bearings 14 and by which the said crank wheels 9 are rotated in unison. The shaft 11 is driven by an electric motor 13 through gearing 16. By this means, the crank wheels 9 may be slowly rotated, raising and lowering the connecting rods 15, and which, by their connection with the pins 6 of the wheel 4 on the top of the plunger 3, the said plunger and the frames 5 are caused/to be'reciprocated. As the compressed air supplied to the cylin der 2 below the piston 3 is sufficient to nicedisconnected from the pins 6 and are swung backward to rest upon supports 29,. Increased air pressure 1s then supplied to the cylinder 2, and the lunger together with the cages are lifted to the maximum height, so that the cages are clear of the tanks or vats. Under this condition, the cages together with their supporting means may be rotated about the vertical .axis of the plunger to the new position desired, and thereupon the air pressure may be lowered to permit the descent of the cages and the supportingmeans and whereupon the, connecting rods 15 are again brought into engagement with radial pins 6, and upon putting the electric motor 13 into action, the vertical reciprocatin movements of the cages are again insure Referring now to the means for supplying the compressed air to the cylinder and plunger, the ordinary compressed air from any suitable source in the factory may besu 1d plied by the shop line 22 and by means of tfie pipe 27 be supplied to the cylinder 2 of the dipping apparatus. The supply of compressed air from the shop line to the cylinder may be controlled b a valve B in the pipe 27. 10 Between the valve and the cylinder 2 and connecting with the pipe 27, is an expansion tank 2 8 which has a pipe connection 29 with said pipe'27, Saidpipe connection H being provided with a control valve 11 When the dipping operation is being performed, the expansion tank 28 is in open communication with the cylinder and in that manner the air beneath the cylinder during the reciprocations of the piston and 1] cylinder will be maintained substantiallyv constant because of the relatively large cubical contents of the expansion tank. The use of the expansion tank enables a considerable vertical reciprocation of the piston 12 with a relatively small amount ofpower re? /quired of the electric motor 13,, and there fore, this motor may be, as before stated, of a size only which is required to perform the reciprocating action irrespective of the 1: amount of load which is being handled, since the load is practically all counter balanced by the compressed air.

25 is the accumulator tank and has a connection by a pipe 26. with the pipe 27 be- 1:

tween the valve B and the cylinder 2, and said pipe 26 provided with a valve O for controlling the compressed air supplied from the accumulator tank to the cylinder 2, 21 is a compressor or pressure booster and drawsits supply of air by a pipe 23 connecting with the shop line 22, said pipe 23 being provided with a valve A to be opened only when the booster is to beput into operation. The discharge port of the booster is connected by a pipe 24 with the accumulator tank 25. It will now be understood that the operation of the booster is to impress upon a portion of the compressed air from the shop pipe 22 a higher pressure and deliver the air at this higher pressure into the accumulator tank25, from which it may be delivered when required to the cylinder 2 of the dipping apparatus when adjusting the air pressure to properly counter-balance the load of the dipping machine, 7

the expenditure of relatively small power..

It will also be understood that, while the effect of the mechanical power will not only be exerted both downwardly and upwardly (if in any manner resisted), the floating tendency of the dipping apparatus by reason of the elasticity of the compressed air may, if desired, be utilized to assist in the upward motion and to some extent relieve the mechanical power so that its work is exerted more in depressing the cages and their supporting means than in elevating them. I prefer, however, that the counter-balancing of the load by the compressed air shall be such that mechanical power operates as nearly uniform as possible, both in raising and lowering the cages, during. the reciprocations. extent to which the reduction in power may be carried while performing the work required will be largely dependent upon the volume capacity of the, expansion tank 28, because the compressed air in the cylinder must be discharged into the expansion tank when the cages are being lowered and should the expansion tank be too small, this air will be compressed to a high pressure, using the piston 3 and cylinder 2 as, a compressor means, and such increase of the compression of the air would, to that extent, requlre more mechanical power to overcome it. By hav- 1n tiii ely to the cubical capacity of the cylinder 2, below its piston, the variation in the air It will also be understood that the a a sufliciently large expansion tank relapressure will be correspondingly slight, and in that event, the apparatus may be operated with a minimum amount of power for producing the reciprocations.

To operate'the apparatus, the following procedure would be in order: All of the valves A, B, G and D, should first be opened to allow the entire system to be filled with 'the ordinary air pressure from the shop line 22. Valves B and C are then closed, cutting 03 the expansion tank and the dipping ap paratus. The booster 21 is then put into operation and umps air into the accumulator 25 at an increased pressure over that in the shop line and the maximum pressure for the accumulator tank may be determined by any suitable control regulator 30 which shuts down the operation of the booster when the maximum pressure is reached, No description of this regulator will be necessary, as that is of ordinary construction. When the maximum pressure has been attained in the accumulator tank 25, the valves A and D are closed and the valve C is opened, and compressed air at the higher pressure of the accumulator is allowed to enter pipe 27 and cylinder 2 of the basket lifting apparatusuntil the top of the normal stroke of the piston is reached. Valve C is then closed, the links 15 of the mechanical oscillator adjusted to the pin 6, and thereupon the motor 13 is started with the result that the cages and their supporting means will be reciprocated in the normal dipping operation. When it is desired to lift the baskets to the extreme height, whereby they may be shifted clear of the tanks, when it is desired to load or unload them, the links 15 are disconnected, the valve D is closed and the valve C is opened, whereupon the accumulator pressure is admitted to the cylinder 2 and raises the cages and supporting means to their maximum height. closed and the cages and their supporting means may be swung around to their desired positions before again being lowered. To permit the cages to be again lowered to the normal dipping position of suspension, valve B is opened to allow the higher air pressure from the cylinder 2 to discharge, back into the shop pipe line and when the baskets have alve C is then of the normal stroke, thereupon the valve G is closed, the connecting rods 15 adjusted to the pins, and roceed as before.

I have described my invention more particularly for use in machines or apparatus for cleaning scale from annealed steel, but gll do not restrict myself to this use as the washing Water, by Way of example.

same principle of apparatus may be emmay bedipped into a tankcontaining a mor- I dant, then into a tank containing a dye, and finally into one or more tanks containing In fact, there are numerous possible uses for this type of machine and my invention, therefore, resides in' the construction, broadly considered, wherein the air pressure is utiized as counter-balance for the movable part of the apparatus and the load, while the actual reciprocating movements, whether rapid or slow, are produced by the mechanical means. It is also to be understood that while I have shown a form of apparatus embodying a plurality ofbaskets and supporting means therefor, the invention may be used with a single basket equally well; and, moreover, while air is the natural medium to be employed, it is manifest that the SllbStltution of a gas, such as carbonic acid or any other permanent gas, may be substituted for air, if so desired.

I have described my improved method 4 and means in that particularity whichlmay be resorted to as matters of mechanical skill and without a departure from the spirit ;of the. invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by;Let-

ters Patent, is f- 1. In a machine of the character stated, the combination of a frame adapted to be reci rocated, supporting means-therefor, inclu ing a pneumatic counter-balancing means, a source of compressed air for. making the pneumatic counter-balancingmeans effective, and mechanical power devices for reciprocating the .frame while pneumatically counter-balanced.

'2. The invention according to claim 1, further characterized by means to vary the pressure of the compressed air, whereby the weight of-the reciprocating frame and any I load carried thereby may be accurately counter-balanced.

p 3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein further there is provided an expansion tank in communication with the source of compressed air, whereby the pneumatically operated counter-balancing devices may be in communication with a cubical space of relatively large capacity during the devices from} the vertically reciprocating 7 frame for sustaining the load which is to be reciprocated.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical means for reciprocating the frame comprises a crank having a connecting rod extending to and jolnted to the reciprocating frame, and a motor for rotating the crank.

7. The invention according to claim t3, wherein further the reciprocating frame 1s provided with a horizontally arranged pin and the connecting rod is provided with an adjustable jaw adapted to be locked inengagement with the pin.

8. The inventlon according to claim 6, wherein further the reciprocating frame is sustained so as to be rotatable and provided with laterally projecting pins at intervals in the plane of 1ts rotation, 'the'said ad ust able jaw of the connecting rod being adapted for attachment with any one of the series of projecting pins so that while the frame may be reciprocated by the connecting rod, the frame may be. adjusted in a plane'at right angles to the direction of reciprocat on and put into connection with the connectlng rod.

9. The invention according to claim I, wherein the means for mechanically reciproeating the frame comprises a pair of cranks, an electric'motor gearin and shaft for 91- multaneously driving t e two cranks at equal speeds, and connecting rods at one end hinged to the cranks and at the otherend hinged to thereciprocating frame for reciprocating it.

In testimony of which invention, I hereunto set my hand.

RALPH N. LOGAN. 

